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"Are curved surfaces possible?"

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calr (91 posts)
Feb-26-02, 12:15 PM (EST) "Are curved surfaces possible?" I have noticed that most if not all locos and cars (wagons) in msts are made up of many flat polygons. This results in "boxy" edges and corners. Real world locomotives have rounded edges. Is there a way in MSTS to represent true curved surfaces and if so, what is the impact on frame rates. I suspect that rendering curved surfaces in a 3d environment might be very processor intensive. Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
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Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Are curved surfaces possible? Verne Feb-26-02 1 RE: Are curved surfaces possible? darkfyre Feb-26-02 2 RE: Are curved surfaces possible? Xacto Feb-26-02 3 RE: Are curved surfaces possible? roycru Feb-28-02 4

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Verne (145 posts)
Feb-26-02, 02:08 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Are curved surfaces possible?" Cal,Because of the "point to point" nature of computer graphics, everything is rendered in flat polygons. That being said, it is possible to get smooth "appearing" curves. This is accomplished two ways. One smaller polygons are used therefore the angles between polygons are minimalized; and two, by adjusting the shading of adjacent polygons to visually give the look of continuous toned curves. Both of these concepts are used by 3D programs to render curves and can be enhanced when rendering "skins". In a typical loco, this doesn't make much of a problem with frame rates, etc. However, there is an optimal limit to how many polys can be used and still function properly - especially on low end systems. You, usually begin to max out at about 8-9000 polys -plenty to make a good looking loco, but that's not a hard-fast rule (and there are tricks that will keep the poly count as low as possible without overly effecting the image). Hope this helps-Verne
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darkfyre (112 posts)
Feb-26-02, 04:19 PM (EST) 2. "RE: Are curved surfaces possible?" Well; you could run with 8-9k polys if you cranked the 'Performance' all the way up there..Chances are the graphics would be the same as with a 3-5k poly count on the standard settings; but then again; I haven't come across anything in 8000 polys...
Hauling cars is fun; but crashing them is even better.-Darkfyre Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Xacto (636 posts)
Feb-26-02, 04:46 PM (EST) 3. "RE: Are curved surfaces possible?" To add to what Verne said, you can use smoothing options in Max to simulate a curved surface with surprisingly few polys. A very small diameter triangular tube will work very well for handrails and pipes if all the faces share the same smooth group. The shape will render well enough to look like a round pipe. You still need to be careful with larger rounded objects such as boilers and air tanks because if the end can be seen, the actual geometric shape will be seen, regardless of how smooth the surface of the object is.Cliff Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
roycru (70 posts)
Feb-28-02, 08:30 AM (EST) 4. "RE: Are curved surfaces possible?" All designs are a compromsize. If particular design is too boxy you can add sections or smooth. Lets see how an end user might could do this. The shape is in the s file...tweeking that would improve appearance. Bt wait, you can't modify an s file. What do you do. Well.. if you follow recent postings on the design foram you know where this is heading.I'm just picking a bit because this appears to be an example of a legitamate use where an end use might want to convert to 3ds to improve a design for personal use. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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